Former reality show contestant pleads not guilty in girlfriend's slaying

Former reality TV show contestant Brian Randone, 45, pleaded not guilty at an arraignment today to charges of torturing and killing his girlfriend, Felicia Tang Lee.

Prosecutors allege that Randone, a Christian minister and contestant in the 2000 Fox pageant "America's Sexiest Bachelor," tortured then suffocated Lee, 31, in the home they shared in the 500 block of West Duarte Road in Monrovia.

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-- Anthony Pesce in Pasadena

Pasadena: Rene Torres, 2

Rene Torres, a 2 year-old Latino, was found dead in a home in the 500 block of N. Summit Ave. in Pasadena early Tuesday, Aug. 18, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office.

Prosecutors filed murder and torture charges the next day against the boy's mother, Maria Jesus Pelaez, a 29-year-old Latina, and Gabriel Diaz, a 32 year-old Latino. The couple lived together in the home where the boy was found, authorities said.

Coroner's officials had not yet released a cause of death for the boy, but prosecutors allege he had been tortured by the couple since July 18.

Pasadena police said Rene's feet, legs and arms had been taped on the night of Monday, Aug. 17, and he died of asphyxiation at some time during the night.

Pelaez called 911 at 6 a.m. Tuesday to report that the toddler had stopped breathing. Police said that she and Diaz admitted in interviews that they had been restraining Rene with tape for months as a form of discipline.

Pelaez and Diaz face life terms without the possibility of parole if convicted on the charges filed. Los Angeles County jail records indicate each is being held in lieu of $2-million bail. They are scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 3.

Pasadena police have made tapes of the 911 calls available on their website.

--Megan Garvey

Pasadena: Isidro Sanchez, 39

Isidro Sanchez, a 39-year-old Latino, was stabbed in the head and neck July 16 at North Fair Oaks Avenue and East Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena, according to the Los Angeles County coroner's office.

Lt. John Dewar from the Pasadena Police Department said Sanchez is also known as Mario Sanchez Pacheco.

Dewar said Sanchez was stabbed in the parking lot of Prestige Auto Repair on Fair Oaks Avenue, then made his way about 100 feet toward the intersection, where he collapsed on the sidewalk. Dewar said someone walking by saw him and called paramedics.

Sanchez was taken to the hospital, where he died a short time later.

Police believe Sanchez was drinking with a group of people in the parking lot when a fight broke out, but detectives do not know what happened leading up to the stabbing, Dewar said. Police received the call about the incident at 11:20 p.m., he said.

Police are still investigating the incident and do not have a description of the suspect or a motive, Dewar said.

-- Anthony Pesce in Pasadena

Photo: A street memorial for Isidro Sanchez, 39, who was killed July 16 in Pasadena. Credit: Anthony Pesce / Los Angeles Times